The holidays are now behind us and we’ve learned a bit about what direction the tablet market took over the course of the past couple of weeks. According to Chitika, Apple lost market share to both Amazon and Microsoft. While business really has nothing to do with this – IT doesn’t typically hand out presents – Microsoft has found a tablet inroad there via its Surface offering.

One of the most popular venues for Surface has proven to be the healthcare industry. Medical professionals have a need to move around through a facility and having a tablet makes this sort of job much easier. But it’s a field with specialized needs, because everything must be highly sanitized to protect from the spread of viruses.

Today, Microsoft’s healthcare blog outlined the steps it recommends for carrying out the procedure. This is something that many manufacturers should consider looking at, especially when a device is up for consideration in such an industry.

“Healthcare customers can sanitize Microsoft Surface2 and Surface Pro2 devices using one of our recommended solutions—PDI Sani-Cloth Plus, CaviWipes, Covidien Alcohol Prep Pads, or any similar wipes with IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) solution under 70%–without risk of damaging the device. These same solutions can also be used to clean the Surface Type Cover 2 (except fabric area) and Touch Cover 2. In general, users should not douse the unit with solution, but rather use pre-moistened wipes or apply IPA to application cloth and use the cloth on the unit. We do not recommend the use of bleach-based products”.